Veterans and Houston County Soccer programs teamed up to put on a very successful high school soccer tournament "The Freedom Cup" this past weekend. This was the first of its kind in Warner Robins where two schools hosted 16 teams from around the state over the three day event. Freedom Field, shared by both schools, and Houston County's "The Pasture" served as excellent venues for the 24 matches (12 Girls, 12 Boys). Visiting schools included the hosts, Veterans and Houston County, along with Jones County, Perry, Dublin, Colquitt Co, Westlake, Etowah, and LaGrange high schools varsity soccer teams. Volunteers from HoCo and Veterans served up true southern hospitality all weekend and were given praise by the visiting coaches for putting on "such a well-run event".  But the best part about the tournament, was the soccer!  The players "put it all out there" in very competitive matches culminating in two exciting final matches.  Etowah high school, a 4AAAAAAA soccer powerhouse all the way from Woodstock GA, claimed the title in the Women's and Men's finals against Veterans and Houston County, respectively. Both matches were highly competitive finales to a great weekend of soccer! Thanks to all who participated! LET FREEDOM RING!!!

Round one is done and your HoCo Bears and Lady Bears secured wins against LaGrange and Westlake respectively.  In the boys match, the Rangers played defensively for the entire game, relenting only one goal as the Bear's final score ended 1-0.  The girls managed to sink four in the net and also held a clean sheet, defensively with the 4-0 outing. In round two, the Ladies get a shot at powerhouse Etowah who mercied Colquitt 10-0 in their first round contest. Tat game will play at Freedom Field at 12:30pm on Saturday.  The Bears draw the same start time at The Pasture against Colquitt who finished off Perry 3-1 after a 1-1 deadlock most of the match. Winners of these two matches will advance to the Freedom Cup final on Saturday evening.  Lets Go Bears!

It was a cool clear evening at Freedom Field with a nice size crowd on hand.  The Lady Bears found themselves in a 0-3 hole after 40 minutes of play, but did not let that deter them from making it an exciting match.  In the second half the Lady Bears stormed back with 3 unanswered goals from Stevie Rigby, Val'Dazia Todd, and Maddy Davis.  Marissa Molnar was exceptional in goal during that span. Veterans did not waiver however, finding their groove again, like the first half, and finished strong with two more goals. Final was 5-3 in Warhawks favor, but you can see the potential for our Ladies to make plays, even when down several goals. Coach Devoursney was pleased with much of the play and used this scrimmage to test his new players at various positions.   In match #2, Coach Stephen Edwards and Assistants John Trepanier and Mike Pinto made their debut with HoCo Soccer. It seemed as though the boys picked up where they left off last season with stellar defense, possession minded midfield, and ability to score in a number of ways. One new wrinkle this year appears to be the Bears forward thinking with many run-on balls served to the forwards. In the 6', former keeper, now winger, Michael Koohang credited the first goal for the men at Freedom Field after a nice cross from Hunter Henry and then a blocked shot from Tucker Mercier that Koohang finished nicely.  Several missed shots occurred by the Bears while its stonewall defense led by Tim Freeman and Clayton Martin plucked the Warhawk's numerous attempts, making it 1-0 at half.  In the second half, Heath Henry drained two goals in a 3 minute span with assists from Mercier (deflection) and Hunter Henry.  Hunter followed with another assist to Mercier at the 55' mark.  Veterans looked as though a goal would happen for them when their winger was fouled just inside the 18, but Declan Furlough made true on his pregame statement, "I want a clean sheet tonight" when he blocked a very well placed PK shot by form GA State Cup team mate, Max Wilkins.  Seconds later the ball ended at the feet of Forward, Hunter Henry, on the opposite end who was also fouled in the box on an attempted shot. His PK shot found the back of the net making it 5-0, Bears. Then with 10 minutes remaining, Freshman, Alex Chmelo, got his first high school varsity goal from 25 yards away over an unsuspecting keeper and just under the bar. Pretty goal to finish a positive outing for the Bears.  On Tuesday they travel to Alpharetta to take on the Raiders for first regular season match of 2017. Bear Down!  Lady Bears kickoff at 5:55pm and Bears at 8:00pm.  See you there! Bear Down...

HoCo Senior Attacking Mid, inks her spot to Kennesaw State University! She will become an Owl this fall under Head Coach Benji Walton. Way to go "D" !!!!  BEAR DOWN!